The two churches, in central Stockton, are four blocks apart. The two pastors are 64, and both are staying in Stockton.

They represent different Christian perspectives: Dunn is conservative, Bennett is liberal.

"I love Stockton. We're staying here," Dunn said. "I will continue to work with the Police Department chaplaincy program and with the United Way.

"I have an unbelievable desire to spend more time with Pam. I've never had coffee with her on a Sunday morning."

Pam Dunn, 64 on Monday, is a third-grade teacher at San Joaquin Elementary on Fresno Avenue. She will retire at the end of the 2013-14 school year. The two have been married for more than four decades.

"She's made all the sacrifices," Dunn said. "I am thrilled and excited about the future and the things we get to do together, getting involved in the community together."

Dunn said the two would likely go on mission trips as a couple. He has helped build churches and schools in Haiti, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Costa Rica and Alaska. His wife has been unable to go along.

Bennett said he was proud of the ways Central United Methodist has changed in the 10 years since he arrived as pastor.

"I would absolutely describe myself as progressive or liberal," he said. "We're a community where LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) folks are welcome and the gay men's chorus from Sacramento performs twice a year. Frankly, I'm proud of that."

Bennett said he and his wife, Jackie, who is a Stockton optician, would like to spend time vacationing, enjoying grandchildren and "seeing what God has in store for us."

The church, known for its dramatic roof line, sits across the street from University of the Pacific. It had 800 members (300 worshippers Sunday mornings) when Bennett arrived and it has about the same attendance today. There are four full-time staff members and six part-time employees.

The church also is home to Central United Nursery School, with more than four dozen children and another full-time employee. The preschool will celebrate its 50th year in Stockton later this year.

When Dunn arrived 26 years ago, First Baptist had three staff members and 250 members. The budget in 1987 was $250,000.

Today, the church has about 3,000 members and Sunday attendance averages 1,200 in five services. A sixth service is held in Spanish. The annual budget now tops $2.5 million and there are 30 full-time staff members.

The church also is home to Blessed Beginnings Preschool and First Baptist Christian School; 260 students are enrolled and 20 additional full-time staff members are employed.

Both Dunn and Bennett, per denominational protocol, will find other places to worship after they leave.

Dunn said his decision to leave has been two years in the making. Last year, he took a sabbatical and, as part of it, he spent a week along the Carson River in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

"It was a soul-searching time," said Dunn, an avid hunter and outdoorsman. "I knew at the time it would be a short window before I left."